Boston Injury Lawyer Blog

If you file a legal malpractice claim in Massachusetts, beware that what you think may be attorney client privileged communications, may not be privileged at all! In a recent Boston legal malpractice case, a technical motion regarding what was "discoverable" resulted in a huge loss of privacy and attorney client privilege for the client.

Lawyers Weekly staff writer, Eric T. Berkman wrote: "Neil Burns, a legal-malpractice lawyer in Boston who was not involved in the case, said the decision simply shows that a malpractice plaintiff 'can't have his cake and eat it, too.' By logical extension, Burns said, "any subsequent attorney representing the plaintiff regarding the same divorce action should be required to provide information regarding communications and work product."

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Cape Verdean Attorney Thiadora A. Pina, helped organize the fifth annual Cape Verdean-Jewish Seder at the St. Patrick's Church, in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Held on March 24, 2010, the Seder focused on bringing together the two communities which have a surprisingly interrelated history. Attorney Pina is Vice President of the Board of Directors for CVC Unido - Cape Verdean Community Unity. Formed in 1999 as The Cape Verdean Task Force, CVC Unido is the only Cape Verdean agency in the City of Boston. The personal injury and bankruptcy firm Law Office of Neil Burns was a Sponsor of the event. The Cape Verdean Consulate General was a sponsor and speaker. The Seder, a festive meal with prayer, songs and discussion, was attended by over 200 people, both Jewish and Cape Verdean.

The traditional Passover Seder, a Jewish holiday and ritual, is the story of freedom and rebellion against the brutal slavery of the Jews in Egypt. The Cape Verdean - Jewish Seder is a new ritual which celebrates the commonalities of the two groups; histories of enslavement and liberation, far-flung Diasporas, challenges of immigration to the United States, an heritages of prevailing over tremendous hardships. Further, when Cape Verde was a Portugese colony, Portugese Jews, facing oppression and the Inquisition, fled to Cape Verde in the 15th and 16th centruies. Apparently, the groups intermarried and ceased to exist separately. Today there are four Jewish cemeteries in Cape Verde.

Attorney Thiadora A. Pina of the Law Office of Neil Burns was recently elected to the Board of Directors for CVC Unido (Cape Verdean Community Unity). Formed in 1999 as The Cape Verdean Task Force, CVC Unido is the only Cape Verdean agency in the City of Boston. In 2004, The Cape Verdean Task Force changed its name to CVC Unido in an effort to underscore the fact that the agency was a vibrant community agency serving the greater Boston Cape Verdean community.

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Super Lawyers magazine announced that Attorney Neil Burns was elected a "Massachusetts Super Lawyer" - a title awarded to less than 5% of the attorneys in the Commonwealth.

The Super Lawyers selection process involves three basic steps: creation of the candidate pool; evaluation of candidates by the research department; and peer evaluation by practice area. According to the findings, "Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement." The award is made by Law and Politics, a division of Key Professional Media, Inc., of Minneapolis, Minnesota. They make awards across the country and reach more than 13 million readers.

I acknowlege that without the dedicated work of my associate and assistant, there could be no nomination. Further, without the acknowledgement by my peers in the evaluation process, there would be no approval. Finally, wihout deserving clients, there would be no motivation; you are all super!